Whether it's a road trip to the vet or an international move, traveling with pets requires planning to ensure their safety and minimize stress.
Car Travel Safety
An unrestrained pet in a car is a safety hazard — for them and for you. The Center for Pet Safety (CPS) crash-tests pet restraints and found that many popular products fail catastrophically. Their recommended options include the Sleepypod Clickit Sport harness (which passed their crash test protocol) and properly secured hard-sided crates. An unrestrained 60-pound dog in a 35 mph crash becomes a 2,700-pound projectile. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that 17% of drivers admit to being distracted by their pets while driving.
Flying With Pets
The US Department of Transportation requires airlines to report animal incidents. In-cabin travel (for pets under ~20 lbs in an airline-approved carrier under the seat) is significantly safer than cargo hold travel. If your pet must fly cargo, choose direct flights, avoid extreme temperatures (most airlines embargo pet cargo when ground temperatures exceed 85°F or fall below 20°F), and use IATA-compliant hard-sided crates with adequate ventilation.
Brachycephalic breeds (flat-faced dogs and cats like Bulldogs, Pugs, Persians) are at higher risk of respiratory distress during air travel. Many airlines have banned them from cargo entirely. Consult your vet before flying with any brachycephalic pet.
International Travel
Requirements vary dramatically by country. The European Union requires a microchip, rabies vaccination (administered at least 21 days before travel), and an EU Animal Health Certificate. The UK requires all of the above plus tapeworm treatment. Australia and New Zealand have some of the strictest requirements, including months-long quarantine periods. Japan, Singapore, and Hawaii also have extended quarantine protocols. Always start the process months in advance and check the destination country's official veterinary requirements.
Reducing Travel Anxiety
Start with short practice trips to desensitize your pet to the car. Use familiar bedding and bring their regular food. For cats, spray the carrier with Feliway (synthetic feline facial pheromone) 30 minutes before travel — a 2017 study in Open Veterinary Journal found it reduced signs of stress during transport. For severely anxious pets, consult your vet about anti-anxiety medication for travel.
Pet-Friendly Accommodation
Many hotels and rental platforms now accommodate pets, but policies vary. Always confirm pet policies before booking, ask about size restrictions and additional fees, and bring your own pet bedding to minimize damage deposits. Never leave a pet alone in a hotel room — the unfamiliar environment can trigger anxiety and destructive behavior. Websites like BringFido.com and PetsWelcome.com specialize in pet-friendly accommodation listings.
Packing Checklist
Bring more food than you think you'll need (changes in diet cause digestive upset), a collapsible water bowl and bottled water for the first day, current vaccination records and health certificate, regular medications, a recent photo of your pet (in case they get lost), your vet's contact information, waste bags, and a basic first-aid kit.